BMW just confirmed the fifth-generation X5, and for the first time it arrives as five distinct drive systems under one nameplate — including the iX5, the first fully electric X5 ever built. Here's everything BMW has confirmed so far, translated for what it actually means if you're driving it out of Berkeley, Oakland, or anywhere else in the East Bay.
The fifth-generation X5 launches with five drive systems for the first time: a mild-hybrid inline-six (X5 40 / 40 xDrive), a plug-in hybrid (X5 50e xDrive), the all-electric iX5 60 xDrive, and later a hydrogen-powered iX5 Hydrogen and a V8 M Performance variant. The rear-wheel-drive X5 40 arrives first in October 2026, with the X5 40 xDrive, X5 50e xDrive, and iX5 60 xDrive following in the first quarter of 2027. Pricing starts at $69,800 for the X5 40 and $79,800 for the all-electric iX5 60 xDrive, before a $1,450 destination and handling charge.
Since its debut in 1999, the X5 has defined BMW's X-family Sports Activity Vehicle. The new generation keeps that role but spreads it across more powertrain choices than any X5 before it — useful in a region as varied as the Bay Area, where a Tahoe-bound weekend driver and a pure East Bay commuter want very different things from the same badge.
| Model | Powertrain | Starting Price* | Bay Area Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| X5 40 | 3.0L inline-six, 48V mild hybrid, RWD | $69,800 | October 2026 |
| X5 40 xDrive | 3.0L inline-six, 48V mild hybrid, AWD | $72,100 | Q1 2027 |
| X5 50e xDrive | Plug-in hybrid, up to 44 mi electric-only | $77,500 | Q1 2027 |
| iX5 60 xDrive | All-electric, est. 435 mi range | $79,800 | Q1 2027 |
| iX5 Hydrogen / M Performance | Hydrogen fuel cell / V8 | Not yet announced | Later 2027 |
*Starting MSRP before the $1,450 destination and handling charge. All figures per BMW's official announcements; the iX5 Hydrogen and M Performance variant have not yet received confirmed pricing or on-sale timing.
The iX5 60 xDrive is the headline of this generation. It runs on BMW's sixth-generation eDrive technology with an 800-volt architecture and an estimated 435 miles of range — BMW's own preliminary figure ahead of final EPA certification. Two motors produce a combined 570 horsepower and 593 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds.
Charging is where the bigger jump shows up: up to 460 kW DC fast charging, a 10-80% charge in roughly 22 minutes, and about 170 miles added in just 10 minutes. The iX5 ships with a standard NACS charging port, and every iX5 includes bidirectional charging — Vehicle-to-Load, Vehicle-to-Home, and Vehicle-to-Vehicle — which matters directly if you've sat through a public safety power shutoff in the East Bay or Marin.
The iX5 runs BMW Operating System X, built on the Android Open Source Project, and charges on the same NACS standard used by other automakers. If you're weighing that against a closed-garden EV, read our BMW iX3 vs. Tesla Model Y comparison, which breaks down BMW's more open approach to charging and software.
The new X5 keeps its familiar commanding stance but pairs it with the Neue Klasse design language: a taller upright front end, a larger matte-finish badge, and a reduced, vertically aligned kidney "Iconic Glow" that stays lit day and night. New BMW Winglet door handles sit flush in the B- and C-pillars, and buyers get eleven exterior colors, ten wheel designs, and for the first time on an X5, an available 23-inch wheel.
Inside, the X5 debuts BMW Panoramic iDrive, which projects driving information across the base of the windshield instead of confining it to one screen, alongside a standard 3D Head-Up Display and a 17.9-inch Central Display. BMW Symbiotic Drive governs the Level 2 driver assistance systems, and the optional Highway Assistant allows hands-free driving on suitable freeways at up to 85 mph — a genuinely different experience on a crawling I-580 or I-80 commute. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is now enhanced with Amazon's Alexa+ technology for natural-language vehicle control.
A double-wishbone front axle and five-link rear axle come with increased track width and standard adaptive suspension, with weight distribution close to 50:50. On the iX5 and 50e plug-in hybrid, optional Adaptive Chassis Control Professional adds active roll stabilization, and Integral Active Steering turns the rear wheels up to 3.2 degrees, tightening the turning circle by roughly 2.5 feet — noticeable the moment you're parallel parking in Berkeley or working through a tight San Francisco garage.
The iX5 adds a dedicated control unit BMW calls the Heart of Joy, acting up to ten times faster than previous systems to coordinate drive, brakes, steering, and recuperation in milliseconds. It also enables BMW Soft Stop, bringing the SUV to a stop through precise electric-motor control rather than traditional brake feel — a detail that changes the texture of a crawling I-580 commute.
A panoramic glass sunroof covering roughly 28 square feet is standard, along with heated sports seats and a 280-watt, 12-speaker HiFi system (an optional Bowers & Wilkins system reaches 775 watts across 18 speakers with Dolby Atmos). Standard active safety includes Lane Keeping Assistant, Active Blind Spot Detection, and an Emergency Brake Assistant that can now respond to wildlife crossing the road — alongside an optional Parking Assistant Professional with Remote Control Parking from up to 15 feet away.
Weatherford BMW already serves one of the Bay Area's largest bases of BMW EV owners, so we're set up to support the iX5 and 50e from day one — not scrambling to catch up once they land. If you're weighing the new electric iX5 against BMW's current EV lineup, our BMW i4 vs. BMW iX guide breaks down what you can drive today. And for context on what "435 miles" actually looks like on Bay Area roads, our real-world BMW EV range benchmarks cover current i4 and iX range on local commute and weekend routes.
If you're also watching BMW's smaller Neue Klasse EV, see our 2027 BMW iX3 coming-soon page — the iX3 and the iX5 share the same Gen6 eDrive technology and 800-volt architecture, just in two different sizes.
Whether you're trading in your current X5 or financing your first BMW SUV, get a head start before the new lineup arrives.
The 2027 X5 launches with five drive systems for the first time: a mild-hybrid inline-six, a plug-in hybrid (50e xDrive), the all-electric iX5, and later a hydrogen iX5 and a V8 M Performance model. It also debuts BMW Panoramic iDrive, a new Neue Klasse-influenced design, and an 800-volt electrical architecture on the electric variants.
The X5 40 starts at $69,800 and the X5 40 xDrive at $72,100. The X5 50e xDrive plug-in hybrid opens at $77,500. All prices are before a $1,450 destination and handling charge, per BMW's official announcement.
The all-electric iX5 60 xDrive starts at $79,800 before the $1,450 destination and handling charge.
BMW estimates 435 miles of range for the iX5 60 xDrive, a preliminary figure based on BMW's own testing to EPA procedures ahead of final EPA certification. It also supports DC fast charging up to 460 kW, adding roughly 170 miles of range in about 10 minutes.
The X5 40 arrives first, in October 2026. The X5 40 xDrive, X5 50e xDrive plug-in hybrid, and iX5 60 xDrive all follow in the first quarter of 2027. The M Performance V8 model and iX5 Hydrogen arrive later in 2027 without a confirmed date yet.
Both share BMW's sixth-generation eDrive technology and 800-volt architecture, but they're different vehicles: the iX5 is the electric version of BMW's larger X5 SUV, while the iX3 is a smaller Neue Klasse model built on an all-new electric-only platform. The iX5 arrives in Q1 2027; the iX3 launches first, in September 2026.
Pricing, specifications, and dates reflect BMW's official announcements as of this page's publish date and are preliminary ahead of final EPA certification and full US availability. Confirm current details with our team before finalizing an order.
*Due to ongoing industry supply challenges impacting production, the availability of some equipment, options or features may be limited. Please review the Monroney Label on the vehicle prior to purchase to verify the vehicle includes all expected features and equipment. **The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is a retail price suggested by the manufacturer. Any MSRP provided on this website is for informational purposes only and excludes taxes, license and registration, government fees mandated or permitted to be collected by the dealership (such as a document fee), and any options added by the dealer and displayed on an addendum on the vehicle’s window sticker. Contact the dealership for more information. All offers subject to change without notice - please confirm listings with dealer. All vehicles are subject to prior sale
